JPS61141341A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to endoscopes, and more particularly to an endoscope with an improved operating wire used for bending a curved portion.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

It is known that the insertion section of an endoscope is constructed by connecting a curved section to the distal end of a flexible tube. These endoscopes are
Normally, a control wire is used to operate the curved portion. Specifically, in addition to passing a guide coil through the flexible tube and inserting the operating wire into the insertion section through the guide coil, the insertion end of the operating wire, that is,
A structure is adopted in which the tip of the operating wire is fixed to the curved part.

Then, a plurality of these operating wires are inserted into the insertion section in two or four directions depending on the direction of curvature, and by pulling and relaxing the operating wires by operating the proximal end of the endoscope, the curved section is curved. That's what I do.

By the way, when transmitting the force necessary for bending to a curved section using an operating wire, the sliding resistance that acts within the curved section and within the guide coil of the flexible tube due to frictional force is approximately 1
:The resistance in the guide coil is greater at a ratio of 2,
Sliding resistance inside curved parts is small.

However, as shown in Utility Model Application Publication No. 58-5402, conventional operation wires for endoscopes used for bending operations have the same outer diameter from the proximal side of the endoscope to the bending part. are using.

These operating wires are more than sufficient, considering that the necessary operating wires will not break, but because the operating wires are not used in view of the strength of each part against vibration resistance, the operating wires that occupy the inside of the curved portion are There is a problem that it takes up a lot of space. As a result, a smaller diameter is required, and the filling rate in the curved part where built-in components (image guide fibers, light guide fibers, etc.) are densely inserted is increased, and this causes movement of the built-in components. This has the problem of impairing the durability of the built-in components, which are easily broken.

[Purpose of the invention]

This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to reduce the filling rate of built-in objects within the curved portion and improve the durability of the built-in objects built into the curved portion. Our goal is to provide endoscopes that can

[Summary of the Invention] That is, the present invention aims to reduce the space occupied within the curved portion by making the outer diameter of the operating wire within the curved portion smaller than the outer diameter of the operating wire on the flexible tube side. .

[Embodiments of the invention]

The present invention will be explained below based on a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 3 shows the external appearance of the endoscope, in which 1 is a flexible tube, 2 is an operating section connected to the rear end of the flexible tube 1, and 3 is a plurality of curved rings 4 having a cylindrical shape.・・・
A curved portion constituted by arranging the adjacent curved rings 4 in series and rotatably connecting each other with a rivet 5, 6 a tip component, and 7 a universal cord connected to the operating portion 3. It is.

The curved section 3 and the distal end forming section 6 are sequentially connected to the distal end of the flexible tube 1 to form an insertion section 8. In addition, as shown in FIG. Built-in components such as a guide fiber and a 1-light guide fiber (none of which are shown) are inserted. Of these, the operating wire 9.9 has its center passed through the guide coil 10 inserted into the flexible tube 1 and placed inside the insertion section 8, and its tip end connected to each curved ring 4... It is connected to the most advanced curved ring 4 at a wire stopper 12 through a guide ring 11 formed in .

Further, the rear end of the operating wire 9.9 is wound around a rotating drum (not shown) of an angle knob 13 provided on the operating section 2, and the operating wires 9, 9 are pulled and relaxed by rotating the angle knob 13. This allows the curved portion 3 to be curved in two directions (four directions if there are four operating wires 9). Further, the image guide fiber is arranged such that its input end faces an observation window (not shown) provided in the tip component 6, and
In addition to having its output end disposed in the eyepiece 14 provided in the operation unit 2, the light guide fiber has its output end facing the tip of the tip component 6, and its input end facing the universal cord 7. It is inserted through the inside and connected to the connector 7a at the tip, and the front of the insertion section 8 can be seen from the eyepiece section 14 using the light sent from the light source device for illumination. In addition, one end of the channel is connected to an opening (not shown) provided on the distal end surface of the distal end component 6, and the other end is connected to the treatment instrument insertion port 15 provided on the operating section 2. It is connected to the channel to allow treatment instruments such as forceps to be fed through the channel.

In each of the operating wires 9, 9 of the endoscope configured in this manner, the outer diameter of the operating wire 9 inside the curved portion 3 is smaller than the outer diameter of the operating wire 9 on the flexible tube 1 side. is used. Now, to explain the structure of the operating wire 9, which is the main part of the present invention, the operating wire 9 has an outer wire 9b made of a stranded wire on the outer peripheral surface of an inner wire 9a made of a stranded wire. multiple layers coated,
For example, a two-layer stranded wire structure coated with an anti-wear agent is used. Of this anti-wear agent-coated operation wire, one layer of the outer wire 9b on the tip side disposed in the curved portion 3 is removed (removed) as shown in FIG. 2, and the portion whose outer diameter changes A structure is adopted in which a fraying prevention member 16 such as brazing is applied to the exposed end of the outside wire 9b to prevent the strands of the outside wire 9b from coming off. The outer diameter of each operating wire 9 is made thinner. Of course, if the operating wire 9 is composed of not two layers but more than one layer, the outer wire 9b of more than one layer may be removed. Note that the narrowed portion A and the portion B having the same outer diameter as the conventional one transmit sufficient force to curve the curved portion 3, taking into account the sliding resistance within the 3° guide coil 10 of each curved portion. Needless to say, it has the strength you need.

However, in an endoscope configured in this way, now,
When the angle knob 13 is rotated, the operation wire 9,
9 is pulled, and by sliding the guide coil 10, each curved ring 4 is rotated using each rivet 5 as a rotation fulcrum by the wire 9.9, and the curved portion 3 will be curved in its entirety.

Here, conventionally, in order to use an operating wire 9.9 in which the entire outer diameter is the same without considering sliding resistance, the filling rate in the curved part 3 is increased unnecessarily, and this causes the built-in It has been pointed out that it impairs the movement of objects.

However, according to the present invention, in consideration of the respective sliding resistances of the flexible tube 1 side and the curved section 3, the outer diameter of the operating wires 9, 9 inserted into the curved section 3 is set to the operating wire of the flexible tube 1 side. 9
．． It is made thinner than the outer diameter of 9.

This means that the operating wire 9.9 in the curved section 3 has a strength that matches the sliding resistance of the curved section 3, and is thin and has no unnecessary strength (strength that matches the necessary tension). It will be understood that the force from the operating wire 9.9 on the flexible tube 1 side can be transmitted to the curved portion 3 by the outer diameter, as in the conventional case.

In other words, it is possible to obtain the same curved shape as the conventional one with a small outer diameter. Of course, due to the large sliding resistance on the flexible tube 3 side, the diameter is as large as before for strength reasons.
Specifically, the operation wires 9 and 9 are 1
Approximately 2/3 of the force applied from the angle knob 13 is used to slide the guide coil 10, and the remaining force is transmitted to the curved portion 3 using the narrow diameter portion A. As a result, a prescribed curved shape is obtained. Therefore, the curved part 3 can be curved with the thin outer diameter operating wire 9.9 inside the curved part 3, and the outer diameter of the operating wire 9.9, which is thinner than the conventional valve, occupies the inside of the curved part 3. This means that the space for the operating wire 9.9 can be reduced. As a result, the filling rate of the built-in objects in the curved portion 3 can be reduced, and due to the formation of gaps, the movement of the built-in objects, especially the image guide fiber and the light guide fiber, in the axial direction during bending becomes extremely good. ,
This makes it possible to avoid damage to built-in components caused by high filling rates, such as fiber breakage.

Therefore, this provides the advantage of improving the durability of the built-in components. Moreover, by reducing the outer diameter of the operating wire 9.9 in the curved portion 3, the overall size of the guide ring 11 that guides the operating wire 9.9 can be reduced. The effect is great.

The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described above, but also includes the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7, and the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. Example, 5th example shown in FIG. 9, 6th example shown in FIG. 10, 11th example
12, the eighth embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the ninth embodiment shown in FIG. 16, and the tenth embodiment shown in FIG. You can do it like this.

Note that FIGS. 4 to 10 show an example of a detachment prevention member, and FIGS. 11 to 17 show an example of a structure for reducing the diameter of the operating wire.

That is, in the case shown in FIG. 4, a metal cylinder 20 is used as a detachment prevention member, and this is inserted into the portion of the operating wire 9 where the outer diameter changes, and a force is applied to it in the radial direction by plastic processing. A swaging process is applied to fix the outer wire 9b to the inner wire 9a using the generated tightening force, thereby constructing a wear-reduced sub-operation wire that prevents the wire from coming off. 5 and 6 are variations thereof, and the one shown in FIG. 5 uses a metal cylinder 21 whose tip end is tapered in a tapered shape instead of the cylinder 20. , 6th
The figures each show one using a metallic stepped cylinder 22. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to this, and the cylinder 20, the tapered cylinder 210, and the stepped cylinder 22 may be made of a shape memory alloy to prevent them from coming off (similar to FIGS. 4 to 6). ).

In addition, the one shown in FIG. 7 uses injection molded resin 25 as a detachment prevention member to prevent the outer line 9b from detaching.
The end portion of the outer wire 9b is integrally fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the inner wire 9a of the inner layer. Note that the stepped portion where the outer diameter changes is made gentle by the resin 25.

In the case shown in FIG. 8, the ends of the outer wires 9b exposed by removing the outer layer are welded and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the inner side 19a of the inner layer using a laser beam.

Note that 26 indicates a welded location.

In the case shown in FIG. 9, the end portion of the outer wire 9b exposed by removing the outer layer is welded and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the inner wire 9a of the inner layer using an adhesive 27.

In the one shown in FIG. 10, the detachment prevention member is composed of a heat shrinkable tube 29, and specifically, the operating wire 9
After the heat-shrinkable tube 129 is inserted into the portion where the outer diameter changes, heat is applied to fix the exposed end of the outer wire 9b to the outer peripheral surface of the inner side 119a of the inner layer.

On the other hand, in the wire shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a single strand 30 with one end tapered is directly twisted to form a wear-reducing sub-operation wire with a thin outer diameter. It was designed to do so.

FIGS. 13 to 15 show a wire rod 31 having the same outer diameter as a whole on the outer circumferential surface of the wire 30, which is a single strand 30 formed into a tapered shape shown in FIG. 12 as a core wire. Therefore,
A wear-reducing sub-operation wire with a thin outer diameter is constructed. Of course, on the contrary, it is possible to reduce wear by using a single wire 31 having the same outer diameter as a core wire, and forming a tapered wire 30 on the outer peripheral surface of the wire 31 as shown in FIG. 1'12. A sub-operation wire may also be configured.

The one shown in FIG. 16 is a modification of the one shown in FIG.
A wire rod 32 with one end tapered is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wire 30 as a core wire, thereby constructing a wear-reducing sub-operating wire with a thin outer diameter. Here, in the eighth embodiment and the ninth embodiment, at least one of the core wire and the wire rod provided on the core wire is a wire whose diameter gradually increases to configure the wear-reducing sub-operation wire. It can be said to be a thing.

The one shown in FIG. 17 has the tapered core wire 30 shown in FIG. 12 tapered to form a core wire 33.
The tapered core wire 30 shown in the figure is arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the core wire 33 to form an anti-wear agent operating wire with a reduced outer diameter.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the space occupied by the operating wire within the curved portion can be reduced,
It becomes possible to reduce the filling rate of built-in objects within the curved portion.

Therefore, while ensuring the diameter of the curved portion is reduced, the built-in components within the curved portion are able to move sufficiently in the axial direction when curved, allowing fibers to easily break such as image guide fibers and light guide fibers Damage can be prevented and the durability of the built-in components can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of this invention,
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the curved part of the endoscope together with the operating wire that has a thin outer diameter. Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the operating wire to show its structure. Figure 3 is a view of the endoscope. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the overall appearance of the mirror, FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a fraying prevention member according to the second embodiment of the invention, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are modifications of the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a different anti-separation member according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a different anti-separation member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a different anti-separation member according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a different anti-separation member according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. , FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show the thin-diameter structure of the operating wire in the curved portion of the seventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 shows the operating wire whose outer diameter is reduced by directly threading a tapered core wire. A front view, FIG. 12 is a front view showing the east line, and FIGS. 13 to 15 show a wire rod having the same outer diameter as a whole on a core wire formed in a tapered shape according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, FIG. 14 is a front view showing the operating wire with a small outer diameter, FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line from FIG. 13A to FIG. 15, and FIG.
FIG. 16, a cross-sectional view taken along line -B, shows an operating wire according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention, in which the outer diameter is made smaller by forming a tapered wire into a wire having the same outer diameter. Front view,
Fig. 17 shows a tenth embodiment of this invention in which the tapered wires are directly twisted to form a tapered shape, and a tapered wire is also twisted around the outer peripheral surface of this tapered part to make the outer diameter smaller. It is a front view showing an operation wire. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Flexible tube, 3... Curved part, 8... Insertion part, 9
...Operation wire. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] In addition to inserting an operating wire through the guide coil into the insertion section, which has a curved section connected to the tip of a flexible tube into which the guide coil has been inserted, the tip of the operating wire is connected to the curved section for operation. An endoscope in which the curved section is curved through a wire, characterized in that the outer diameter of the operating wire in the curved section is smaller than the outer diameter of the operating wire on the flexible tube side.